Plateaus are one of the major landforms of the Earth, occupying about 33% of the lithosphere. Geographically, they are elevated landforms that are lower than mountains but higher than the surrounding plains. They are often referred to as “Tablelands” due to their flat summits. Plateaus are formed through various processes, including volcanic eruptions (Lava plateaus) or crustal uplift. Because they cover a third of the land, they are crucial geographical units. Many plateaus, such as the African Plateau, are ancient stable blocks (shields) that contain the world’s richest deposits of gold, diamonds and copper.